WHEN Master Drummer Benjamin Bortey Borketey returned from the UK in
2004, he focused on setting up a Dance Ensemble that would promote
African traditional values through drumming and dancing.

Three years on, his dream has been realised.

He worked assiduously to put a group of drummers, singers and dancers together to form the Djormo Dance Ensemble, among them are excellent performers from notable cultural groups like ‘Efee Noko’ of Nungua, ’Kete’ from Teshie and the Ghana Dance Ensemble from the Arts Centre.

The group has the sole aim of providing high class traditional African drumming, dancing and compelling music at social and other functions.

The name ‘Djormo’ is a Ga word meaning Blessings.

One of its cardinal principles is to dissipate traditional values to the young through seminars and workshops anywhere in the country.

I met Ben while on holidays in London in 2003 when he and the Aklowa Drum Band, the resident group of The African Traditional Heritage Village of UK, were performing at a function in Hackney.

The village, a venue for creating a greater awareness of the African way of life, is located in the grounds of an exceptionally old Victorian house in the county of Essex in England, and comprises a variety of authentic Ghanaian buildings – from huts, a canopied stage and a seating area.

Activities for visitors include: participation in traditional, music, dance, drum making, games and stories and is a favorite spot for tourists and locals alike.

With the immense knowledge Ben gathered from Aklowa, under the tutelage of the director, late Felix Cobson, he felt he could pursue his ambition even better back at home in Ghana.

His association with the Village afforded him the opportunity to teach African traditional music to British schools through workshops and live performances and was so much exposed through performances during occasions like the Commonwealth Games, UK; providing the beat during the Great South Walks Festival at Manning Tree and entertaining the royal families at palaces in London, Norway and Sweden.

‘We are here to stay and to prove to other cultural troupes in the country that we go beyond perfect drumming and dancing to educate our audience through these workshops and seminars’ he said, adding that the education and awareness assist greater racial harmony and strengthens relationships within communities.

The group has started performing at the Alliance Francaise in Accra and plans touring some institutions and organisations to perform, educate and entertain.